JP2004160438A - Method and system for automatically sorting and packing goods - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for automatically sorting and packing a batch of goods, such as eggs or fruits or the like which are each provided with a producer's code. <P>SOLUTION: The method comprises: a step of supplying a first batch of coded goods to a sorter and simultaneously assigning the corresponding codes to fields of a register of a computer program; a step of subjecting the goods to criteria in at least one classification apparatus; a step of marking the goods with classification data as obtained with the classification apparatus; a step of assembling the codes and data for each individual goods with the computer program in the fields of the register to form label; and a step of sorting and subsequently packing the classified goods to a second sorted batch of the goods at a packing station of a packing apparatus. The goods at the packing station are batchwise provided with a second code, a destination code, and the second codes are assigned to the fields of the register and therein are added to the labels of each corresponding goods. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for automatically sorting and packaging articles.
In particular, the present invention provides a first batch of coded articles to a sorting device, while simultaneously assigning a corresponding code to a field of a register of a computer program,
Comparing the article to the criteria in at least one rating device;
Codes and data for the individual goods are collected by computer programs in register fields to label the goods with the rating data obtained by the rating device and create labels.
The invention relates to a method for sorting, at a packaging station of a packaging machine, graded articles and then packaging them to make a second batch of sorted articles.
[0002]
The system according to the invention comprises a loading device for loading a first batch of coded articles on a sorting device;
A sorting device that sorts the articles according to a sorting criterion and sends the articles to a packaging station of a packaging apparatus by a conveyor;
A computer for controlling the sorting device and the packaging device;
At least one rating device for rating the goods according to well-defined criteria;
A packaging station where the articles are grouped together to create a sorted second batch;
The computer includes a CPU that executes a computer program including a selection criterion, and a data input device,
The computer program includes registers with fields for storing, moving, retrieving, and deleting data provided to the program, among others.
The data input device assigns the item data to the corresponding fields of the register, and while the items are being carried in by the carry-in device, the item data is collected to create a label for each item, and the item was unloaded from the packaging device. There is also a deletion unit to delete the label later,
The rating device is, for example, a weighing device, and the rating data acquired by the rating device is added to a label in a register.
[0003]
[Prior art]
In the case of an article such as an egg, on average, tens of thousands of eggs are sorted and packed in a sorting apparatus in one hour. The articles are collected in a number of batches of eggs of various types and sizes from different suppliers, such as buttery cages and other houses in the case of eggs. Eggs vary in color and / or size, for example, depending on the breed and age of the hen. Generally, these batches are sorted by a sorting device and distributed to a packaging station. It is then bundled into the desired new batch (second batch) specified by the buyer (mostly the department store). Such a sorting device comprises a plurality of packaging stations, often consisting of packaging conveyors. The articles are packaged in the desired form on a packaging conveyor. The number of packaging conveyors can be as high as 30. These new second batches consist of eggs that have been sorted by size, sometimes by color. On the other hand, eggs can be sorted based on hair cracks or blood contamination. As soon as a batch of eggs is fed to the sorter, information about the origin of the batch is entered into the computer. This computer performs both management and control of the sorting device. That is, in a computer program executed by a computer, a label including data necessary for selection, sorting, and packaging is assigned to each article, for example, an egg. The articles are grouped almost simultaneously into a second batch. That is, articles from one and the same batch are divided into a plurality of packaging conveyors assigned to each buyer at that time. Buyers are often few, but can be quite large.
[0004]
This means that the shipping destination is different, that is, the buyer of the newly assembled batch is different. At least in some packaging stations, this information is indicated during the culling phase by recording the dates and periods during which a second batch for a buyer is assembled. These pieces of information are recorded manually, not automatically, for example, in a time table. In these time tables, it is necessary to record which packaging conveyor assembled which second batch and for which period. These time tables can be compared with the processing time from the computer if necessary. This makes it possible in principle to track data on each article required at a later stage. Data tracking may be required, for example, if it is later found that the egg specifications differ from the buyer's specifications, or if individual eggs do not meet regulatory standards.
[0005]
As can be seen from the fact that tens of thousands of eggs are sorted each day at the packaging station, tracking and tracing, that is, accurately searching for the ship-to and producer at the same time, respectively, requires handling eggs and other items as described above. Such a method is practically impossible. It should be noted that the water-resistant mark can be added only when the sorting device stops, and in this case, it is necessary to accurately record the change of the batch. However, it is not possible to do this automatically, ie quickly. In addition, it is not possible to perform accurate, reliable and objective control processes, which are increasingly desired in recent years with a large increase in food handling volume.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To overcome these disadvantages, the method according to the invention has the following features. That is, at the packaging station, the articles are given a second code, a shipping code, for each batch, which is assigned to a field of the register and added to the label of each corresponding article. Also, the computer program collects labels including at least the same ship-to code and the same producer code of the second batch when the second batch is unloaded from the packaging station.
[0007]
This makes it possible to use the computer-controlled sorting device in a very good way. That is, not only can a desired data cross section be realized very quickly, but also the features of a large number of articles can be determined very accurately.
[0008]
Furthermore, the system according to the present invention is characterized in that a computer executes a computer program described in any of the methods described in the claims.
[0009]
EP 945350 discloses a method and apparatus for identifying and processing fruits and vegetables. In this method and apparatus, the produce is sent to a conveyor belt after sorting and then packaged. The machine reads the code and the operator stands beside the conveyor belt and the package and packs the produce into a package. By taking into account both the operator and the relevance of the sorting data and the read codes in the computer, it has become possible to check the contents of the packaged batch.
[0010]
This conventional method allows tracking from the direct history of the batch before it leaves the packaging device. However, this method cannot provide a procedure for determining the producer and shipping destination for individuals collected from various batches.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a packaging station according to the invention, in which a batch of articles is supplied, sorted and unloaded in sequence.
FIG. 2 shows an outline of a shift register in a computer program.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows, in order, a supply batch Pi, a sorting section S, and an unloading batch Po. These batches consist of articles such as eggs and fruits. These articles generally have the same shape and are difficult to distinguish as individuals, and it is necessary that the producer and the shipping destination can be tracked by some method after sorting. Hereinafter, searching for a producer of an article is referred to as "tracing", and searching for a shipping destination of the article is referred to as "tracking".
[0013]
These batches P are processed by a sorter generally known to those skilled in the art. FIG. 1 schematically shows the following elements of the sorting device. That is, the loading device 1, the sorting machine 2, and the packaging station 9.
[0014]
More specifically, the carry-in device 1 includes a member that takes in an article from the feeding unit. In the case of eggs, many of these components consist of suction cup-type intake units, on which the eggs are placed on a roller conveyor 3, for example from a cardboard tray. The roller conveyor 3 is formed with a pair of hourglass-shaped rollers attached to a shaft of an endless conveyor, and a nest is continuously formed. The transition member from the loading device 1 to the roller conveyor 3 is indicated by I.
[0015]
The articles are then sent to a classification device 4. Note that "classification" means weighing of an article, photographing of an article to determine the state of a surface, or another measuring unit, and naturally includes a combination of these rating items. Each "individual" has various characteristics, which are compared to predetermined criteria to select an item. The operation of the device, the acquisition of data and associated signals, and the organization of these data are controlled by a computer 6. The computer 6 performs control by setting the computer using data supplied via the signal line 7, more specifically, by inputting a setting of a computer program. FIG. 1 shows only one input signal line as an example. Data on the above-described features is collected to generate a label for each article.
[0016]
After grading, the articles are sent to the conveyor 5 by the second transition member II. For objects such as eggs and fruits, the conveyor consists of an endless chain. The endless chain is fitted with grips or, in the case of fruits, cups, often in rows. At the packaging station 9, the articles are fed by a generally known release device III into a packaging device 8, more specifically so-called packaging belts 10,11. These wrapping belts are provided with wrapping units such as cartons and trays, for example, and articles are released into the wrapping units. As an example, the direction in which the packaging belt is carried out is indicated by an arrow. In addition, it is also possible to provide a labeling device, for example, at the end of these packaging belts, to label the packaging unit, or to perform printing with an inkjet printer.
[0017]
FIG. 1 further shows how successive supply batches Pi, ie, P11, P12, P13, are divided on the loading device 1. The virtual boundaries of these batches are indicated by dotted lines L1 and L2. Here, “virtual” means that information unique to the batches P11, P12, and P13, such as an ID (identification) code, is included in a data flow sent to a computer when a batch is loaded, for example. Means The label on each item contains this code so that the producer can be determined for each item, ie tracing can be performed.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows the unloading batch P0, that is, P21, P22, and P23. As shown, these batches can be formed simultaneously on different packaging belts. When the articles are assigned to a given wrapping belt, a signal is sent to the computer, the computer recognizes the information and adds it to the label of each article. In addition, in order to assign an article to each packaging belt, it is necessary to update which packaging belt is assigned. Therefore, the boundaries of each batch cannot be represented on the conveyor 5, as opposed to the configuration that supplies the batch. Here, the packaging belt itself is the boundary line. Because the labels for each article described above further include all data relating to supply, input, and individual identification, for each cross section of data from the computer, ie, for each article, the producer and ship-to destination Both can be determined. In addition, one or more wrapping belts may need to be reserved, or assigned, to combine a single unloading batch. This case can also be realized by setting the computer.
[0019]
As is clear from the above description, all data on each article is contained in the label. More specifically, this label contains data about the producer, ie, the supply batch Pi, and data about the shipping destination, ie, the unloading batch Po. These successive data, ie successive labels, are processed by methods well known to those skilled in the art. Processing on these data includes checking, supplementing, deleting, recording in the memory of the computer, and searching from the memory. These processes can be enabled by using hardware, that is, electronic technology. Alternatively, it can be processed by software.
[0020]
Software technology also utilizes, for example, so-called shift registers. The shift register stores a series of aligned fields in which data is grouped. In the present embodiment, these fields match the labels described above. The data flow, in particular, the time-series movement of the label or label number proceeds in synchronization with the time-series movement of the article position in the sorting apparatus. The ratio between the length of the register and the length of the entire path of the sorting device is clearly defined as a parameter of the computer program or a setting of the program. The article position is a position that is clearly defined in the sorting apparatus, and the article position in the sorting apparatus is generally related to the distance between articles. From the beginning of the supply batch, i.e. the end of the preceding supply batch, a batch identification signature, i.e. an identification code, in particular a producer code, is assigned to each article and entered into a register, and the start of the output batch (the end of the preceding output batch). If the shipping destination code is allocated to each article in the same manner as in (1), tracking of all batches and articles that are elements of the batch becomes possible. Specifically, it is possible to create a cross section in the data stream for specifying or searching for a predetermined supply batch or unloading batch.
[0021]
Computer programs, or software, that enable the processing and operation described above utilize point members or pointers that move and search through stored data, for example, in accordance with precisely defined criteria or routines. More specifically, the pointer moves and searches along the shift register of the computer for the sorting device. This makes it possible to collectively group data in any combination based on the history of the change of the producer code or the shipping destination code.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a part of the shift register RL including the label L. The label L moves from left to right along the register path in parallel with the direction of travel of the items of the sorting device, and more specifically, shifts sequentially to the next field. The next field, ie, each preceding field, respectively represents the next, ie preceding, article position in the sorting device. Each field represents an article position including the above-mentioned article-to-article gap. In FIG. 2, the passage of time is indicated by arrows. The label Ln in the field Rk at the time tk moves to the field Rk + q at a time tk + q after a predetermined interval time q (for convenience, Ln ′). As described above, by using the routine of the computer program, it is possible to trace a predetermined supply batch or unloading batch by the register RL, and finally create a desired cross section.
[0023]
In contrast to the way the field moves along the pointer or point member, as shown in FIG. 2, other ways are possible, for example, where the pointer itself moves along an annular shift register. In this case, the fields are reused by successive counting routines to provide a sufficient length of the shift register to be annular and to provide a corresponding index for each label. The determination of the cross section and the grouping of the data are performed in the same manner as described above.
[0024]
Many combinations and minor adaptations of the technology described above are possible, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications may be made to the technology within the scope of the appended claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a packaging station according to the present invention in which batches of articles are supplied, sorted and unloaded in sequence.
FIG. 2 shows an outline of a shift register in a computer program.

Claims (11)

A method for automatically sorting and packaging a batch of articles such as eggs and fruits given a producer code,
Supplying a first batch of said coded articles to a sorting device, while simultaneously assigning a corresponding code to a field of a register of a computer program;
Comparing the article to criteria in at least one rating device;
Attaching the code and the data for each article to the article in the field of the register to attach the rating data obtained by the rating device to the article and to create a label,
In a method of sorting said graded articles at a packaging station of a packaging machine and subsequently packaging to make a second batch of the sorted articles,
At the packaging station, the articles are provided with a shipping code, which is a second code for each batch, and the second code is assigned to the field of the register and added to the label of each corresponding article. And
Wherein the computer program collects the labels containing at least the same ship-to code and the same producer code of the second batch when the second batch is unloaded from the packaging station. Method. The method for sorting and packaging according to claim 1,
A sorting and packaging method, wherein the arrangement of the fields of the register matches the arrangement of the articles in the sorting device. In the sorting and packaging method according to claim 2,
In the field of the register of the computer program, the search and recognition of the rating data and the code are performed by a point member, that is, a pointer, and the position of the pointer being searched sequentially is the position of the article in the sorting device. Sorting and packaging method characterized by coincidence. In the sorting and packaging method according to claim 2 or 3,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the register is a shift register, and the position of the field moves with the position of the article in the sorting device. In the sorting and packaging method according to claim 2 or 3,
The method for sorting and packing, wherein the register is a shift register, wherein the pointer moves with the position of the article in the sorting device. The sorting and packaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A method of sorting and packaging, wherein while entering new rating data and / or codes, fields of corresponding labels are counted and collected to create a cross section of the batch. The sorting and packaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A method of sorting and packing wherein at least the producer code and / or the ship-to code of the label are reproduced on a package of the article of the corresponding producer. The sorting and packaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A method of sorting and packaging, wherein at least the producer code and / or the ship-to code of the label are reproduced on the article of the corresponding producer. A system for automatically sorting and packaging a batch of articles such as eggs and fruits given a producer code,
A loading device for loading a first batch of the coded articles on a sorting device;
The sorting device that sorts the articles according to a sorting criterion and sends the articles to a packaging station of a packaging apparatus by a conveyor;
A computer that controls the sorting device and the packaging device,
At least one rating device for rating the article according to well-defined criteria;
A packaging station where the articles are grouped together to create a sorted second batch;
The computer includes a CPU that executes a computer program including a selection criterion, and a data input device,
The computer program includes, in particular, a register having fields for storing, moving, searching, and deleting data provided to the program,
The data input device assigns item data to the corresponding fields of the register, and while the items are being conveyed by the carry-in device, the item data is collected to produce a label for each item, and Also having a deletion unit to delete the label after the article is carried out of the device,
The rating device is, for example, a weighing device, in a sorting and packaging system in which the rating data obtained by the rating device is added to a label in the register,
9. A sorting and packaging system, wherein the computer executes a computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The sorting and packaging system according to claim 9,
A sorting and packaging system, further comprising a label member for attaching at least a producer code and / or a shipping code of the label on the register to a package of the article. The sorting and packaging system according to claim 9,
A sorting and packaging system, further comprising an ink jet member for printing at least a producer code and / or shipping code of the label on the article.

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